Share:
Myth winter depression season without influence on depression
Are you one of those people who are prone to low moods and depressive episodes in the winter? Then you should not worry about anything else. Because a so-called seasonal affective disorder (SAD) can not cause lasting depression and has no reinforcing effect on existing depression.
Especially in autumn or winter, many people tend to be a little sadder and moodier. Such a condition is called seasonal affective disorder. This type of depression is associated with a change in the seasons. Nevertheless, sufferers should not worry too much. The researchers found that there is no real correlation between seasonal changes and depression. The scientists published their findings in the journal "Clinical Psychological Science".
According to researchers, no relationship between depression and seasonal weather conditions is detectable. (Image: kei907 / fotolia.com) Seasonal affective disorders
Seasonal affective disorder often begins in autumn and continues during the winter months. Affected persons show symptoms such as a feeling of hopelessness and worthlessness, lose interest in their activities or suffer from sleep disturbances and difficulty concentrating. However, there is no relationship between seasonal changes and people's depression, says Professor Stelen Lobello. The seasonal affective disorder may be a diagnosis supported by large pharmaceutical companies to open a new market and sell more medicines, the medical profession speculates. This may have been a motivating factor in the creation of this disease. Lorber from "Lenox Hill Hospital". For their study, the researchers analyzed data from more than 34,000 American adults who complained of depression. They found that a seasonal change alone is not able to trigger depression. For about 30 years there has been controversy among medical professionals about seasonal affective disorders and their effects on depression.
Seasonal changes do not affect major depression
Depression is unrelated to latitude, season or sunshine, explain the scientists. The results showed that a seasonal modifier does not promote severe depression. Although the idea of a seasonal depression is strongly rooted in our everyday psychology, this theory is not supported by objective data, the researchers say. Seasonal changes should no longer be seen as a symptom of major depression in the future. SAD do exist, but only a small number of sufferers suffer from true depression, the experts explain. The depressive symptoms of SAD may be lower in spring and summer. Therefore, it was important to examine those affected, even if the depressive symptoms were less severe, say the doctors. Research found that there were no seasonal differences in reports of depressive symptoms. The season does not seem to affect depression. (As)